Tag Archives: bonnaroo

E Street Band member, 69, suffered stroke in his home in Florida. By Jocelyn Vena Clarence Clemons Photo: Getty Clarence Clemons, legendary member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, has suffered a stroke according to The Associated Press. A source close to the saxophonist confirmed to the AP that the 69-year-old suffered the stroke in his Florida home on Sunday night; no further details about his health were currently available at press time. However, Showbiz 411 reported that the musician’s condition is very serious. Most recently, Clemons was featured on Lady Gaga’s massive Born This Way album, appearing on two tracks and performing with her live on “American Idol” last month. Clemons, also known as “The Big Man,” began performing with the E Street Band in 1972, giving an assist on Springsteen’s debut album Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. . In addition to appearing on 20 albums with Springsteen, including the breakthrough Born to Run, he’s worked with a number of other artists including Gaga, Jackson Browne and Ringo Starr. He’s also appeared in films like “New York, New York”and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” as well as TV shows like “The Wire” and “The Simpsons.” Recently, however, he has had problems with his health, and following the Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s tour in 2009, he had to have both knees replaced and a spinal fusion surgery, according to Rolling Stone. But he vowed, “As long as my mouth, hands and brain still work I’ll be out there doing it.” When MTV News caught up with Gaga’s longtime collaborator, Fernando Garibay, the producer recalled how excited Gaga was to hit the studio with one of her icons for the songs “Hair” and her latest single, “Edge of Glory.” “She grew up listening to Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and she goes, ‘Can we get Clarence?’ And I go, ‘Of course we can get Clarence. You’re Lady Gaga!’ ” he said. “You can see the years of influence and you can see her lighting up when he’s playing [with her in the studio].” Send your well-wishes to Clarence Clemons in the comments below. Related Videos Track By Track: Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Related Artists Bruce Springsteen Lady Gaga

Arcade Fire, Florence and the Machine also earn high marks from fans in the fest’s 10 year. By James Montgomery Eminem at Bonnaroo 2011 Photo: Tim Mosenfelder/ Getty Images MANCHESTER, Tennessee — In the end, it wasn’t so much the heat as it was … OK, it was pretty much the heat. But the 2011 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is now in the books, having come to a close Sunday night with an evening full of nods to its noodle-y roots: a fest-capping performance from Widespread Panic, the semi-annual Superjam set, the instrumental grandeur of Explosions in the Sky and, uh, the Strokes, who occasionally play songs longer than four minutes. As the crowds began to file out of the dusty 700-acre farm that the fest has called home for 10 years now, the question was: Who managed to steal the show? Of the 120-something acts on the Bonnaroo bill this year, which was the best? The buzz from those exiting through the gates might surprise you. Because, sure, we heard plenty of praise for the bands that fell within the traditional parameters of Bonnaroo — the String Cheese Incident’s late-night performance on Saturday (complete with an inflatable dinosaur that descended on the crowd) earned high praise; as did Gogol Bordello’s marathon set that same night; the walloping, womb-like low-end of Bassnectar; STS9′s hippie trance; Dr. John’s re-telling of his Desitively Bonnaroo album (with the Original Meters and Alain Toussaint in tow) and My Morning Jacket’s darn-near-yearly jaw-dropping run. But there were also more than a few mentions of the nontraditional acts, namely, headliners Lil Wayne and Eminem . But somewhat fittingly, it was the artists who managed to bridge the gap between those two camps who seemingly won. Folks went gaga for Mumford & Sons’ sunset gig , a de facto victory lap for the current kings of “new-grass” (or whatever you want to call it), that included crowd-rousing versions of hits like “The Cave” and “Little Lion Man” and a sweat-drenched take on “Amazing Grace,” aided by the Old Crow Medicine Show. High marks were also given to the Black Keys’ rattling, rocking Saturday night show and the Arcade Fire’s hard-working headliner on Friday night, too. All of that is appropriate because, after putting the finishing touches on it’s 10th year, Bonnaroo finds itself in a rather interesting position. Over the past few years, organizers have slowly inched hip-hop onto the mainstage, with mixed results ( Kanye West’s late-starting debacle in 2008, Jay-Z’s well-received turn in ’10. But in 2011, they placed two of the genre’s biggest acts in night-capping slots, and the gamble paid off. And while the Sunday-evening sets — and, really, most of the day, too — seem reserved for jammier bands, one has to wonder if, in 2012, the balance might shift even further away from the fest’s crunchier past. Could more hip-hop be headed to the big stages (like Wiz Khalifa’s Saturday-evening set on the massive What Stage this year)? And, if that’s the case, will the fans turn out in droves like they did this year? Or maybe, they’ll decide to play it safe and book more bands that tend to unite the festival’s seemingly ever-growing, diverse fanbase: acts like Portugal. The Man, Robyn, Florence and the Machine and Beirut, all of whom also shined at this year’s event. The future, it seems, is anybody’s guess. But even for a festival whose future might be cloudy, the present is sweet indeed. Bonnaroo 2011 was a sold-out success, a rollicking four days of great music and life-affirming (and genuinely shocking) positivity. Throughout the weekend, though there are questions about where things go from here, the same time-tested truths also were readily on display. Kids had the time of their lives; they got shirtless and sweaty and probably did some things they might regret one day. The bands had a blast, playing long and hard and with a genuine sense of purpose. And, of course, people complained about the heat. They’re the things that will never change, and they make Bonnaroo great, year after year. No matter who’s playing. Related Videos Bonnaroo 2011 Behind The Scenes Related Photos Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival 2011 Related Artists Lil Wayne Eminem

Lil Wayne and Florence + The Machine weren’t the only artists tearing it up at Bonnaroo this weekend, naturally. Slim Shady fans no doubt loved the way Eminem performed “Love The Way You Lie,” even if Rihanna wasn’t on hand to deliver her half of the smash hit’s vocals. The recent Billboard Award-winner didn’t have … More » Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Idolator Discovery Date : 12/06/2011 19:57 Number of articles : 2

Lil Wayne and Florence + The Machine weren’t the only artists tearing it up at Bonnaroo this weekend, naturally. Slim Shady fans no doubt loved the way Eminem performed “Love The Way You Lie,” even if Rihanna wasn’t on hand to deliver her half of the smash hit’s vocals. The recent Billboard Award-winner didn’t have … More » Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Idolator Discovery Date : 12/06/2011 19:57 Number of articles : 2

Following performances from Lil Wayne, Big Boi, and Wiz Khalifa, Eminem capped off a hip-hop-heavy lineup at Bonnaroo with his debut appearance at the festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Although Eminem may have gave a false impression when he started of with a chant leading people to believe Lil Wayne may of joined him on stage… Read More At HipHopWired.com

After wowing Bonnaroo crowd on Saturday, Wiz shut down gossip, telling MTV News, ‘Me and Waka and are cool.’ By James Montgomery Wiz Khalifa at Bonnaroo 2011 Photo: Rob Loud/ Getty Images MANCHESTER, Tennessee – Wiz Khalifa’s Saturday evening set at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival was, by his own admission, probably the biggest show he’s played since bursting onto the scene last year. And feeding upon the vibes of the crowd, he delivered a set that was as loose and lively as it was hit-packed and hungry. “I was feeling the energy the whole time, and I’ve been doing a lot of shows and growing as a performer and an artist, so I just wanted to build on all that,” he told MTV News following the performance. “Being a top act on such a huge stage in front of so many people, it’s a great starting point for my career, because a lot of people work their whole careers and then get here.” Of course, though he was still basking in the afterglow of his Bonnaroo set, Wiz also felt the need to address an issue that (supposedly) occurred at another of his big-stage shows: rumors of a backstage altercation with Waka Flocka Flame at Hot 97′s Summer Jam in New York earlier this month. “Yeah, nothing happened backstage,” Khalifa said. “It’s always something; making up some rumor about something happening with me backstage during somebody’s set, but nothing happened. Me and Waka and are cool. That’s just people trying to promote negativity.” And to hear Wiz tell it, there’s been a whole lot of that negativity going on in recent months. But, as he continues on the upswing of his young career, he’s not going to let any of it get him down. After all, there will be plenty more shows like Bonnaroo on the horizon, and he prefers to focus on that. “There’s just so much fake sh– going on. Like, people will buy into what’s fake. According to people, this isn’t my Rolex, you know?” he said. “But that’s just what mugs like to think and what they like to talk about, but the reality of the situation is everything’s under control. And this is my Rolex. That I bought.” Did you catch Wiz’s set at Bonnaroo? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos Bonnaroo 2011 Behind The Scenes Related Photos Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2011 Related Artists Waka Flocka Flame Wiz Khalifa

The rapper thrilled fans with a hard-hitting, hit-packed headlining set on Saturday. By James Montgomery Eminem performs at Bonnaroo 2011 Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images MANCHESTER, Tennessee – By the time Eminem strode onstage Saturday night at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, 80,000 sun-stroked fans had already witnessed workmanlike sets by everyone from Mumford & Sons and the Black Keys to Bootsy Collins and Buffalo Springfield. So it was no surprise that, when it came time for Em to do his thing, he decided to follow in that same model, eschewing flash and dash in favor of good olfashioned sweat. And sure, his headlining set did feature booming pyro, a massive (and frequently skull-filled) video screen, and some actual fireworks, but, in keeping with Bonnaroo tradition, what stood out the most about Em’s performance was the sheer tenacity with which he attacked it. This wasn’t so much a performance as it was an exercise in determination; a focused, fierce 90-odd minutes of grit and guile. It’s the same renewed vigor Eminem has displayed on his most-recent efforts, not only his massive Recovery album, but also the upcoming, back-to-basics Bad Meets Evil team up with Royce Da 5’9.” Much like Friday night’s headliner, Lil Wayne , the man simply knows how to work. And that was evident from the get-go on Saturday night. Dressed in a black hoodie, Bad Meets Evil T-shirt and camo shorts, Em wasted no time ripping into his catalog, kicking off with “Won’t Back Down” and following it up with “3 a.m.,” both of which hit hard thanks to his machine-gun cadence and the addition of a positively whomping live band. The impact wasn’t lessened when his mic cut out during the next song, “White Trash Party,” as Em powered through the mishap and earned the cheers of the tens of thousands who packed in to see him. Flanked by D12 member (and hype man) Mr. Porter (a.k.a. Kon Artis), Eminem stalked the stage and didn’t come up for air, tearing through songs like “Kill You,” “So Bad” and “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” before finally disappearing backstage for a moment while Porter introduced the masses to “the newest member of Shady Records,” the aforementioned Royce Da 5’9.” Em was back before the crowd could stop cheering, and the pair gave them a taste of what they can expect on the upcoming Hell: The Sequel EP: the muscular “Fast Lane” and the Bruno-Mars assisted “Lighters,” which, not surprisingly, had everyone thrusting theirs skyward. Then Em shifted the focus back to his solo hits (“Stan,” “Toy Soldiers”) and some of his high-profile guest spots (“Airplanes, Part II” and, thankfully, “Forever”), crouching low and delivering his verses with ferocity. He got deep on “Love the Way You Lie” and downright celebratory on “Crack a Bottle.” Then, in a nod to his past, shot through three of his earliest hits (“My Name Is,” “The Real Slim Shady” and “Without Me”) in rapid-fire succession. The crowd, which, for the majority of his set, had been firmly poised on the brink, positively lost their collective minds at the inclusion of those classics, and seizing the momentum, Eminem closed his set with a rattling version of “Not Afraid.” After a brief rest (and several minutes of the crowd chanting his name), Em reappeared to cap the night off with “Lose Yourself,” which seemed even more anthemic given the magnitude of his set. And then, as the crowd screamed their approval, he thanked them and thrust his hand in the air, looking understandably exhausted but also unbelievably happy. And, in apparent appreciation to his efforts, the Bonnaroo folks kicked off a massive fireworks display, one that boomed in the distance and was a pretty fitting tribute to what we had all just witnessed. Only Eminem’s musical fireworks were better. Were you at Bonnaroo? Share your reviews in the comments! Related Videos Bonnaroo 2011 Behind The Scenes Related Photos Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2011 Related Artists Eminem

Fans tell MTV News they’re drinking water, slathering on sunscreen and frequenting the air-conditioned comedy tent. By James Montgomery A general view of the atmosphere during Bonnaroo 2011 Photo: FilmMagic/FilmMagic MANCHESTER, Tennessee – Temperatures nearly touched triple digits at Bonnaroo on Friday (June 10), scorching the grounds of the 700-acre farm the fest calls home and forcing the 80,000 in attendance to get creative when it came to beating the heat. Concertgoers hung portable fans around their necks, clutched squirt-guns and paper fans, hid beneath umbrellas and guzzled water from tubes in their CamelBaks. And when all else failed, they stripped down and showered in Bonnaroo’s famed Centeroo fountain. Anything to keep cool. “Pretty much we’ve been going back and forth to the fountain all day, trying to cool off that way,” concertgoer Ryan Smith told MTV News. “Everyone’s pretty chill and really nice about sharing space in there.” By midday, the water flowing from the fountain had started to turn brown (an annual occurrence at the fest, regardless of the temperature), but that didn’t stop fans from frolicking in it. And as the crowd in and around the fountain continued to swell, some were forced to abandon hope of a quick bath in favor of other cooling methods. “It’s like a-hundred-and-something degrees at Bonnaroo right now. It’s epically hot,” said Stephanie Hammel, who came down from Long Island for Bonnaroo 2011. “We’re staying cool by drinking lots and lots of water. Using a lot of sunscreen. Putting ice cubes down our shirts.” “We keep a couple bottles of misters on us, so that helps. But the secret is the comedy tent,” Aaron Devens revealed. “It’s air-conditioned, so you can go in there and just stay there. I think I saw, like, a dozen comedians already.” Then again, brutal temperatures are nothing new at Bonnaroo, and with a Friday night schedule that included high-profile sets by Arcade Fire and Lil Wayne (to name just a few), most had no other choice but to take off their shirts, slather on the sunscreen and just deal with the sweltering heat. “I mean, it’s really hot. It’s hot as — excuse my French — balls. There’s not a lot of shade,” Anna Vega laughed. “But, I mean, that’s how it is. Someone’s going to have to drag me to go see Lil Wayne tonight.” What are your keeping-cool tips at summer festivals? Let us know in the comments below! Related Videos Bonnaroo 2011 Behind The Scenes Related Photos Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2011 Related Artists My Morning Jacket Florence + the Machine Lil Wayne

Did Lil Wayne have money on his mind when he agreed to play the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival? We can’t be sure, but we’d say it’s a good bet, considering that he performed his I Am Not A Human Being ode to billionaire Bill Gates live in Tennessee last night, wearing zebra print pants, … More » Broadcasting platform : YouTube Source : Idolator Discovery Date : 11/06/2011 17:56 Number of articles : 2

Wiz Khalifa, the Strokes, Mumford & Sons and the Black Keys also set to appear at Bonnaroo. By James Montgomery Eminem Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage On Tuesday (February 15), organizers announced the lineup for the 2011 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, set for June 9-12 in Manchester, Tennessee. And, boy, it’s going to be interesting to hear the purists’ take on this year’s bill. Browse photos of the 2011 Bonnaroo performers . Unlike earlier, decidedly crunchy editions of the fest, the 2011 lineup is topped by two of the hugest hip-hop acts in the business — Eminem and Lil Wayne — along with newly crowned Grammy champs Arcade Fire and the Black Keys. Other acts on the bill include Mumford & Sons, the Strokes, the Decemberists, Florence and the Machine, Big Boi, Wiz Khalifa and Robyn. Of course, there are still some nods to Bonnaroo’s roots: Fest vets Widespread Panic return once again, as do My Morning Jacket and the String Cheese Incident. Also doing their part for the traditionalists out there are reunited legends Buffalo Springfield (in their only festival performance), Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, and Dr. John and the Original Meters, who will perform their 1974 album Desitively Bonnaroo, from which the festival took its name. As in previous years, there will be an epic super-jam, this one organized by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and Dr. John. Other artists set to appear at the 10th annual Bonnaroo include Ray LaMontagne, Iron and Wine, Girl Talk, Primus, Explosions in the Sky, Deerhunter, the Walkmen, Sleigh Bells and Smith Westerns. All in all, some 150 bands will perform at this year’s fest. Tickets for Bonnaroo 2011 go on sale Saturday, February 19 at 12 p.m. ET through the festival’s official website . The confirmed list of performers so far: Eminem Arcade Fire Widespread Panic The Black Keys Buffalo Springfield featuring Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Rick Rosas, Joe Vitale My Morning Jacket Lil Wayne String Cheese Incident Robert Plant & the Band of Joy Mumford & Sons The Strokes The Decemberists Ray LaMontagne Bassnectar Iron & Wine Girl Talk Primus Dr. John and the Original Meters performing Desitively Bonnaroo Alison Krauss & Union Station Pretty Lights Florence and the Machine Superjam with Dan Auerbach and Dr. John Explosions in the Sky STS9 Gogol Bordello Beirut Big Boi Scissor Sisters Gregg Allman Ratatat Global Gypsy Punk Revue curated by Eugene H